2012 May epsucob@NEWS 09

The three main trade union in local government in Scotland have submitted their pay claim for this year and are calling for a minimum wage of £7.20 an hour (€9.00). The unions argue that low paid workers have been hit hard by the public sector pay freeze and local government workers did not even receive the £250 (€312.50) that was paid to workers in other parts of the public sector. The unions are calling for a flat-rate payment of £1000 (€1250), £500 for this year and £500 for last year. [Read more at > UNISON Scotland (EN)->http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2012/mayjune/0805.htm]

With a new government and agreement from the International Monetary Fund, public sector workers look set to recoup some of the pay cuts imposed in 2010. The cuts in basic pay of 25% were partially restored last year with an increase of 15% but further increases are now being promised with a rise of 8% in June and then further increases worth another 7%. However, this does not take account of the cuts to bonuses and allowances that hit many workers and meant that some lost out by up to 40%. [Read more at > Reuters news website (EN)->http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/06/us-romania-politics

The CGT public services federation has taken a clear position in opposition to a recent decree allowing for incentive payments in the public services. The payment would be linked to collective performance but have been criticised by the CGT for undermining the basic nature of the public service and introducing the concepts of competition and profitability into the way services are provided. The union is also angry that the incentive payments would be financed on the basis of non-replacement of staff. [Read more at > CGT Services Publics (FR)->http://www.spterritoriaux.cgt.fr/spip.php

Public service unions continue to be involved in the anti-austerity protests coordinated by the CMKOS trade union confederation. A week of action beginning 14 May will be followed by a another national demonstration on 22 May. The week of action will involve protestors occupying ministries as well as unions providing information to the public on the implication of the cuts to services. CMKOS will also consider the possibility of calling for a general strike. [Read more at > Czech news webstie (EN)->http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/czech-unionists-activists-to-march-through-prague-on-may

PCS, the main civil service union, and the Unite trade union with members in the central government and the health service took strike action on 10 May as part of their continuing campaign against government plans for public sector pensions. The two unions have joined forces with the NUT teachers' union in protest at the proposed pension changes and in particular the prospect of being forced to work to 68 to get a full pension. [Read more at > PCS (EN)->http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/8DC5BBEF-B76E-48FC-B3E085582932BF52] [And at > Unite (EN)->http://www

The FSC-CCOO and FSP-UGT public service federations working with other trade unions that organise in the Valencia region have successfully campaigned for a massive rejection of the cuts package proposed by the regional government. The unions were delighted by the high turnout of 80% and will use the result to support their campaign against the cuts and services and reject any planned cuts in pay. A total of 42147 voted against the cuts with only 598 supporting the regional government plans. [Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)->http://www.fsc.ccoo.es/webfsc/menu.do?Inicio:352311] [And at > FSP-UGT

The CCOO and UGT confederations have presented evidence to the director general of the International Labour Organisation arguing that the government has infringed key ILO conventions on trade union rights and collective bargaining. The confederations maintain that the government's failure to negotiate over labour reforms and the rights of employers to unilaterally change employment conditions contravene conventions 87, 98 and 154. The unions also that the changes to employment law that make it much easier to dismiss workers contravene convention 158. [Read more at > FSC-CCOO (ES)->http://www

The CNV Publieke Zaak union reports that there has been no progress in the negotiations covering Provincial Councils despite the breakthrough made in local government. A consultation of members over the employers' offer revealed a clear majority against and the reaction from the employers was to withdraw what they said was their final offer. The unions argue that the employers are showing little respect for members' efforts and dedication and further action by the trade unions is likely to follow. [Read more at > CNV Publieke Zaak (NL)->http://www.mijnvakbond.nl/Actiedreiging-CAO-Provincies

The FOA public services union has joined up with several other trade unions to call for government action to close the gender pay gap. The organisations, along with the Women's Council, have put forward a range of measures including more paternity leave and changes to the Equal Pay Act. The unions argue that segregation of the labour market is one of the key issues and that it should be possible to compare work of equal value across sectors. They are also calling for more transparency in wage data from employers. [Read more at > FOA (DK)->http://www.foa.dk/Forbund/Presse?newsid={C6E71856-823D

The public services federation of the CGT has called a national demonstration for 29 May in defence of the health and safety of sewage workers in the public and private sectors. Official data shows that the life expectancy of sewage workers in Paris is seven years less than workers in general in the region and 17 years less than the national average. Changes to the pensions system have meant that sewage workers now have to work longer in the underground system in order to benefit from early retirement rights. While employees of private sectors don't benefit from these entitlements. The union

Ver.di has criticised the liberal FDP health minister for using the existence of the minimum wage in the social care sector to justify ending the requirement on social care institutions to pay locally recognised pay rates. This could mean, for example, the going rate in one are of €14.95 an hour being reduced to the minimum rate (in the west) of €8.75. The minister argues that it is a bureaucratic burden to ascertain the local going rate. Ver.di has argued that the sector should apply the public sector rate but this was rejected by private employers. [Read more at > ver.di (DE)->https://drei

Around 13000 employees of hospitals in Hamburg are set to benefit from a new collective agreement after 2000 took part in warning strikes earlier this year. A pay increase of 3.5% will be backdated to 1 March and two further increases of 1.4% will be paid on 1 January and 1 August 2013. In response to employee complaints about excessive weekend working there will also be a guarantee of 26 weekends free each year. Ver.di has criticised the employers for threatening some workers with the sack if they took action, particularly after the union had offered to negotiate an agreement on emergency